News

Father Christopher C. Steinle, O.S.A., recently returned to Latin America in his new ministry as an Augustinian missionary to the Province of St. Michael, headquartered in Quito, Ecuador. Father Steinle began this service in February following several years of ministry for the domestic needs of the Midwest Augustinians’ Province.

In the News

More than 150 lay people committed themselves to bringing the Gosepl to different zones in the Augustinian mission parish of Morropón, Peru

All of St. Isidore Parish – in the City of Morropón and its surrounding desert communities – recently gathered to discuss how the Gospel can be brought to everyone. All of the Augustinian mission parishes in Peru depend on teams of lay leaders organized by dozens of “zones” in their parish. This is because many areas in Northern Peru are scattered throughout the desert and mountains, with limited access to transportation. Throughout the week, Augustinians travel to each zone to meet with each zone’s team. The recent meetings particularly emphasized a greater need to spread the Good News to the sick and needy.

Fr. Fidel Alvarado, O.S.A., the Regional Vicar of the Augustinian missions in Northern Peru, visits with the sick

While visiting the sick throughout each zone, the Augustinians’ first priority is celebrating the sacraments together with the People of God. From there, each Augustinian – whether if he is a native Peruvian Augustinian or an Augustinian missionary from the United States – promotes values for a more just and caring society. This is particularly important in the Peruvian missions of the Augustinians, given the extensive needs and poverty of the people. This summer, the motto of the month is The Local Church: A Source of Values for Society.

Augustinian missionary from Illinois Fr. Richard Palmer, O.S.A., presides at Mass and Baptism in one of the zones in Morropón, Peru

The Augustinians began serving in Northern Peru at the request of St. John XXIII in 1963. The Augustinians have since been instrumental in:

Establishing the Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru;

Founding the Augustinian Vicariate of Northern Peru;

Ordaining 2 dozen native Peruvian Augustinians to the priesthood;

Developing hospitals, food pantries, pharmacies, schools; and,

Promoting justice and peace activities in each parish.

Supporting service in the Augustinian missions of Peru and the Diocese of Chulucanas costs $300,000 a year. The funding comes from donors across the United States and Canada. For only $50 a month, you can sponsor the religious education programming in one of mission parishes. Please consider a gift to the Augustinian missions of Peru today.

Patrick Murphy has been working with the Augustinians in fundraising and
communications since 2010. He began working with the Augustinian Vocations
office in 2015. He also holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management.

Midwest Augustinians

The Midwest Augustinians are a part of the Catholic Order of St. Augustine, known as the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. Our community life shapes our service in schools, parishes and missions. Our ministries span from the Midwestern United States to parts of Canada and northern Peru.